As human and wildlife populations increase, so do human-wildlife conflicts with demands on state wildlife agencies for relief

However, state budgets remain constrained, placing additional strain on all state agency functions. At the same time, states are continually pressured to reduce the use of hunting and trapping as wildlife management tools, eroding states abilities to maintain an acceptable balance between wildlife and associated damages. There is a critical need to increase public awareness of the need for modern, scientific wildlife management tools including hunting and trapping. If conducted, not only will the management of human-wildlife conflicts be maintained, but states will be better positioned to request and receive increased resources for wildlife management. To produce this critical information, data produced 20 years ago by the animal use committee will be updated and expanded through two surveys of wildlife management and damage experts regarding nuisance wildlife trends, current damage levels, expected outcomes in 5 to 10 years if hunting and trapping were lost, plus the expected public and financial costs associated with alternatives to hunting and trapping, if available. Also, a careful review of published literature and secondary sources will be conducted to locate available estimates on current impacts associated with human-wildlife conflicts. Finally, communications efforts will be led by the sportsmen s alliance foundation to communicate the results with the general public and media outlets to raise awareness and support for modern, scientific management methods. Care will be taken to not vilify wildlife, but to communicate the need for active wildlife management including the use of hunting and trapping for the benefit of both wildlife and humans alike.